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This Panamanian Swimsuit Designer Will Have You Ready For Your Next Vacation

Good news, beach babes! Whether you're heading to the beach or simply want to stock up for your upcoming tropical getaway, Genesis Vegas has you covered.

The Panamanian native created AYRA SWIM, a luxe contemporary swimwear brand based in California, that feature sexy silhouettes and designs that appeal to every style preference. Vegas, who has an eye for design, left the corporate world to follow her true passion of starting her own clothing brand. The collection is filled with an array of form-fitting pieces from cheeky bikinis to on-trend retro one pieces.

But that's not all. These stylish swimsuits are made up of high-quality sustainable Econyl fabric, that has been proven to have a strong shape retention and resilience to chlorine, sun, creams, oils, and UV protection.

We caught up with the Panamanian swimsuit designer to talk about how her Latin roots influence her designs, advice for anyone who wants to get in the industry and more.

There is no perfect size or perfect bodies; we are all unique in our way inside and out, there's beauty in every shape and size so love your body and feel sexy no matter what!

I love fashion and clothing since I was a child, I have always dreamed of wearing clothes I designed myself, growing up I knew I always knew I would become an entrepreneur one day. I studied marketing and worked for over eight years in Brand management; it was an excellent experience to have before starting my brand. Growing up in Panama I was going to the most beautiful beaches and islands to surf, wakeboard, and enjoy with my family and friends. Wearing a swimsuit since I was very young and having hundreds of them in my closet made it very clear to me that I wanted to start my road as a designer with a swim line! I was living in the ocean every week for the most part.

What makes your collection different from others already on the market?

We have a small collection, and the whole point behind that was to create a unique set of styles were our cuts differentiate from other contemporary brands out there, our fit is one of our biggest pride I've worked a lot in creating swimsuits that will hold their shape and fit to perfection.

I love using custom handmade crochet and macrame in our pieces, trying to keep everything original and unique, we have some pieces that had become staples in our collection and can't be found anywhere else like our Panama one piece which got featured at sports illustrated, it became trendy pretty quickly thanks to its originality and how unique the crisscross detail on the back.

How do your Panamanian roots influence your designs?

I think my love for all handmade crochet and macrame come from my Panamanian roots; I like everything that involves artisans working on a garment to make it unique and extraordinary, I am not a fan of processed and fast fashion.

What would you tell women who feel don't feel comfortable wearing a swimsuit?

Wearing a swimsuit is about having fun, traveling, going to the beach or pool, enjoying with your friends and family! There is no perfect size or perfect bodies; we are all unique in our way inside and out, there's beauty in every shape and size so love your body and feel sexy no matter what! Always use swimsuits that flatter your body shape, and remember that nothing looks better than loving yourself and showing confidence.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to start their own swimwear line?

Lots of research on manufacturing before starting, trying to keep it local as overseas is pretty difficult for a small line starting up. Making original designs is key, it's hard to succeed with a swim line on a market like we have today with so many amazing brands if you don't bring anything new and different to the table. Social media is critical today for a brand to succeed, learning how to curate your social media and be faithful to your branding is an absolute requirement.

We are launching three different collections in 2018, a small handmade crochet line which is very boho-chic, and all handmade by local artisans in Los Angeles. Our Ayra Basics collection that will offer a more modern look with affordable prices, and our Panama collection with all made with handmade criss-cross straps. I am also working on the designs of our RTW and cover-ups collection which is very exciting and a new step for me as a designer.